Car coupling



l(No Model.) l 3 She'tsf-Sheet 1.

N. BARR.

GAR GOUPLING.

No. 387,485. Patented Aug. 7, 1888.v

lllli/ IIINU (No Model.) 3 vSheetfaf--Sheet 2.

N'. BARR.

GAR GOUPLING.

No. BSTAB., Patented Aug. 7, 188,8.

WIfNESSES. 'Zaal/mywe- Y .,fttorney.,

raras PATENT CAR-COUPLING.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 387,485, dated August 7, 1888.

Application filed March 2G, 1.988. Serial No. 268,504.

.T0 @ZZ whom, it may concern,.-

Be it known that I, NICHOLAS BARR, of Caynta, in the county of Schuyler and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Car-Couplings; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, which will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon,which form part of this speciiication.

My invention relates to an improvement in cai-couplers, and more especially to that particular class known as twin-jaw couplers.7

The object otmy invention is to provide an improved carcoupling which shall be eX- tremely simple and cheap of construction, effective and reliable in operation, and in Which the hinged or pivoted jaw is locked by a pin or key operated by gravity.

Vith these ends in view my invention consists in certain novel features of constructions and combinations of parts, more fully described hereinafter, and particularly pointed out in the claims.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a perspective view ofthe end of a car, showing the coupling attached thereto and in locked position. Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the coupling. Fig. 3 is a bottom plan of the same. Fig. 4 is a central horizontal longitudinal section of the coupling, the pivoted loekingjaw being shown in its locked position. Fig. 5 is a similar view showing the pivoted jaw unlocked and the coupling open. Fig. G is a perspective detail view of the pivoted coupling-jaw, showing its rear end or heel. Fig. 7 illustrates detail views of, respectively, the vertically operating locking pin or key, a bottom plan ofthe pivoted block operated by the heel or rear end of the locking-jaw, and an isometrical perspective view of the same. Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the rod whereby the pivoted jaw is swung when nncouplcd. Fig. 9 isa plan view ofthe cover closing the upper end of the chamber inthe draw-head and in which the locking-pin is contned and operates; and Fig. l0 is a vertical section on the line x .fr of Fig. 4, the pivoted jaw being locked.

(No model.)

In the drawings, the referen ce-letter A indicates the usual draw-bar provided with a coupling or draw-head which is provided on one side with the usual forwardly and laterally extending rigid jaw, B, having its inner face curved to guide the pivoted jawof one coupler into position and engagement with the corresponding pivoted ]'aw of the opposite coupler. 6o Upon the opposite side the coupling-head is strengthened and extends outwardly a short distance, and is centrally and horizontally slotted or recessed to receive the rear end or heel,

b', of the pivoted coupling-jaw C, which is 65 pivoted to the coupling-head by a pivot or hinge pin, c, passing through registering-openings in the heel or rear end of the movable jaw and in the arms of the coupling-head formed by the slot or opening.

The movable jaw Gis composed of the outer hooked end, which holds the opposite coupling-jaw, and is formed to withstand considerable strain, and is of a thickness about equal to that of the main rigid part of the head, and itsouter edge is provided with a transverse slot,and a vertical opening passing through the arms above and below the slot,so that the coupler can be, if found necessary, converted into a link-and-pin coupler. The rear end or heel 8o of the coupling-jaw is in the form of a tongue or tenon and extends from the center of the rear edge ofthe hook or outer end ofthe jaw laterally in a vertical plane at about right angles to the plane ofthe main or hook end, and the inner side of the heel is curved convexly, while the outer side is slightly concaved to conform tothe contour of theface of the coupling-head. The end of the heel is provided with a cam-surface, c', which extends from the 9o front edge inwardly and rearwardly to the outer edge of a shoulder, b, facing outwardly on the rear edge of the heel; and at the oppov site end ot` the cam-surface, at the outer edge of the heel, the same is provided with a notch, b2, provided with two vstraight faces, the heel being reduced in thickness at its extreme end,

as seen in Fig. 6.

The shoulders d d, formed at the rear edge of the main portion of the movable jaw bythe roo difference in thickness between the hook portion of thejaw and inner end or tongue of the same, are concaved transversely, and the top edge of the hook is beveled to the upper shoulder, as seen at d. The laterally-extending arm of the coupling-head to which the movable jaw is pivoted is slotted or recessed from its outer face inwardly to receive the rear reduced end of the jaw C, and is of such depth that the outer face ol" said rear end will be flush with the face of the coupling-head when the movable ljaw is locked, and the rear wall of the slot is of a form to conform to the inner edge ofthe rear end of the movable jaw, and is provided with a notch or recess, f, provided with a shoulder to engage with the shoulder b of the movable jaw when the same is locked. The edges ofthe coupling-head against which the shoulders d d bear and work are rounded to enter the eoncaved shoulders, and the upper edge ofthe coupling-head is provided with a flange, j", which extends over and bears against the beveled portions d at the upper side ot the hook, and thus keeps snow, dirt, and icc from the joint between the movable jaw and the coupling-head.

A rod, D', is connected with the pivoted coupling-jaw for the purpose of swinging said jaw to its open or closed position when unlocked and from the side of" the car, said rod being connected to the pivoted jaw and rendered capable of changing the position of the same, preferably by operating upon a projection, d2, extendingr downward from the under side of thejaw in au inclined or oblique position. The rod D' extends transversely from the side of the car to the draw-bar7 and is bent laterally and provided with a loop to pass down around the extended bottom of the draw-head, and from thence extends obliquely to engage the projection or lug d2. It will thus be seen that when the rod is pushed inwardly the oblique end of the rod will engage the oblique projection and swing the movable arm outwardly to receive the opposite coupling-jaw, and the reverse action is made when thejaw is to be closed.

A central enlargement extends upwardly from the upper inner face of the coupling-head, as seen in Fig. l, and a vertical chamber or passage, e, extends through said enlargement downward through the coupling-head, and is adapted to contain avertically-operating locking-key or pin, E, provided with a laterallyextending tongue or lug, e', at its upper portion, the upper part of the passage or chamber being somewhat oblong in crosssectiou, so that the locking-key can slide freely within the same between certain limits.

The slot iu which the rear end of the movable jaw is pivoted is hollowed out beyond the inner end ofsaidjaw to form an approximately circular chamber, in the upper and lower walls of which the chamber e centrally opens, so that when the locking-keyis in the passage it will extend vertically through said chamber. The passage below the chamber is contracted, so that the tongue can only pass such a distance into the same that it will extend completely through the circular chamber. A circular or elliptical block, D, fits snugly in the aforesaid circular chamber, and is provided with a vertical opening, h, to receive the locking-key, and said opening is extended laterally through the periphery ofthe block to receive the lateral lug or tongue ot' the key and also to receive the inner or notched end of the movahlejaw, as seen in Fig. 4. The vertical opening h is provided with the short radial wall or face, l, and the longer radial face, 2. The short face 1, when the movable jaw is locked, engages the cam-surface c', while the long face engages the key and the outer edge of the rear end of the movable jaw. It will thus be seen that when the locking-key is raised to the limit of its upward movement and its tongue is withdrawn from its seat in the movable block the movable couplingjaw will be unlocked and can be swung in or out, and that when the rear end of the jaw is swung outwardly its notched end will strike against the long edge or face 2 of the block' and rotate the Same on the locking key or pin as a pivot until said long face or edge is pressed suffieiently to allow the end ot' the jaw to swing out, as seen in Fig. 5, and when the jaw is swung to its seatin the coupling-head camfaee c' will strike against the short face 1 and swing the same inwardly, while the long edge will swing around and close the opening between the rear end of the jaw and the edge of the opening, and thus keep out the dirtand snow. Vhen the movable jaw is unlocked and it is desired to lock the same, the lockingpin is dropped, the locking-tongue entering the locking-notch b'zin the pivoted jaw and extending into the draw-head below the block D, thus firmly locking the pivoted jaw against outward swing, for it is impossible for the locking-pin to be turned,when in this position, to admit of the outward swing of the heel of said jaw.

As seen in Fig. 7, the block D is provided upon its upper side with a wing or flange, g, project-ing over the opening in the same to receive the inner end of the pivoted jaw; hence when said jaw is locked the flange extends partially over the inner end ot' the same, and when thejaw is swung outwardly (sce Fig. 5) the flange extends over the space occupied by said end when the jaw is locked, and also upholds the tongue of the locking-pin. The flange is provided with an aperture to allow the passage of the locking-pin tongue, and said aperture registers with that part of the chamber e in which the locking-tongue of the coupling or locking pin slides when the heel of the pivoted jaw is in its seat, (see Fig. 4;) but when the locking-pin is raised the pivoted jaw in swinging outwardly turns the block, as before mentioned, and of course the aperture in the ange g is thrown from alignment with the corresponding part of the chamber e, thus preventing the tongue ofthe coupling-pin from falling behind the heel of said jaw when swung outwardly, as the lower end of said tongue bears upon the upper surface of the flange;

but when the jaw is swung inwardly the block ICO IIO

esmas is turned by the same until the aperture in its tlange registers with the corresponding part of the chamber e, thereby automatically allow ing the lockingtongue to fall into position to lock the pivoted jaw, but preventing the pin from falling when said jaw is swung from its seat. It will be readily seen that this construction prevents the locking-pin from jamming or getting out of place when thejaw is unlocked, and it also increases the strength and effectiveness of the coupler, as will be readily seen and understood by all persons acquainted with the class of mechanics to which this invention relates,

The lower central portion of the couplinghead extends a short distance downward and is hollowed or chambered at the open end of the socket in which the locking key operates. A vertical aperture, i, extends from the up per face of the coupling-head (see Figs; l and 10) completely through the same and opens into said hollow extension and an uncoupling pin or rod, J, extends completely through and below said aperture and operates vertically and is loosely confined in the same at its upper end by an enlarged head,j, and at its lower end by a laterally-extending arm, j', projecting beneath and a suitable distance below the lower end of the socket in which the locking-key operates and through the lower end ot' which said key extends lwhen the movablejaw is locked. (See Fig. 10.) Thus it is evident that to unlock the movablejaw the uncoupling-pin has simply to be raised,which will draw the lateral arm j' into engagement with the lower end of the lockingApin and throw the same upwardly until the lateral tongue on the same is thrown upward from engagement with the notch in the rear end of thejaw.

For operating the uncoupling-pin a rockshaft, L, is journaled transversely in suitable bearings preferably across the end of a car, and is provided upon each end with suitable handles for turning the same.

A toe, m, is secured to the rock-shaft above the upper end of the uncoupling-pin at one side ot' the coupling-head, and said toe consists of an arm secured to the shaft, and from which a slight upwardly-bent projection eX- tends, dctachably connected with the head of the uncoupling-pin by a chain or the like. Thus it will be observed that when the shaft is turned in one direction the uncouplingpin is raised by the chain and toe, and if the coupling-head were torn from the car the chain would slip from the Vtoe and not injure the rock-shaft and front of the car. The rockshaft has a limited longitudinal movement, and if it is desired to hold the uncouplingpin and also the locking-pin suspended, as both operate together, the rock-shaft can be turned to withdraw the same, and then pushed longitudinally until the toe will catch upon any suitable projection, s, and thus hold the parts.

N represents a small cap or cover adapted to iit over the upper end of and close the socket in which the locking-pin operates, and thus keep out dirt, snow, and ice.

The lower edge of the tongue e of the locking-pin is beveled upwardly, as shown in Fig. 7, whereby it more readily clears or frees itself from the upper face of the flange g, when the block is turned by the inward swing of the pivoted jaw, thus allowing the pin to readily and automatically drop into position, locking the jaw. The chamber e is provided with a shoulder below the opening in which the movable jaw operates, and said beveled edge of the locking-tongue engages this shoulder when in locking position, and is thereby prevented from falling from the chamber e if the lateral armj were by any means displaced. I do not wish to limit myself to the precise construction herein shown and described for operating the uncoupling-pin, for it is evident that this arrangement will have to be varied where the coupler is used upon different kinds of cars.

'Iheopeningofthe coupling-pinbeing closed, no foreign substance can enter it to interfere with its operation, as will be seen by reference to the drawing.

IThe further operation of the device will be clearly understood from the foregoing description and the drawings.

It is clearly evident that various slight changes might be resorted to in the form and arrangement of the parts described without ldeparting from the spirit and scope of my invention; hence I do not wish to limit myself strictly to the precise construction herein set forth, but consider myself entitled to all such changes and variations as fall within the spirit and scope of my invention.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is-

1. In a twinijaw coupler, the combination of the coupling head, a movable jaw provided with a heel pivoted in said head, said heel having a notch or projection on the front side of its rear end, and said coupling-head having a vertical passage through the same provided with a shoulder' atits lower portion, a locking-pin confined in said passage and provided -with a tongue longitudinally located on the same, said tongue being beveled on its lower edge and adapted to engage the notched end of the pivoted jaw and said shoulder, and an uncoupling pin extending through said head and provided with a laterally-extending arm engaging the lower end ofthe locking-pin, as set forth.

2. In a twinjaw car-coupler, the combination of the coupling head provided with a Idownwardly-extending hollow or chambered portion, themovable jaw pivoted in said head, the vertically-operating locking-pin confined in a chamber or passage in the head and extendinginto said downwardlyextended portion when said jaw is locked, an uncouplingpin operating vertically through the head and provided with a lateral arm located in said ICO IlO

IIS

hollow extension and adapted to engage the lower end of the locking-pin, when the same is extended into said hollow extension below its passage.

3. Thecombination, with the coupling-head provided with a downwardly-extending chamber or hollow portion, oi the pivoted jaw,1oel\:- ing-pin, uncoupling-pin, and mechanism for operating the uncoupling-pin, said hollow extension forming a guide and protecting the locking pin, uncoupling-pin, and their attachments from injury, in the manner set forth.

l. In a twinjaw car-coupling, the combination7 with the eouplinghead and the rigid jaw, of the movable jaw pivoted to the coupling-head, and a rod extending beneath said coupling-head and engaging the movable jaw, whereby, when said ia-w is nneoupled,it can be thrown open or closed, substantially as described.

5. The combination, in a twin -jaw car coupler, of the coupling-head provided with a substantially circular recess or chamber, a movable jaw provided with a laterally-extending heel pivoted in the head, a block located in said circular chamber and provided with an opening in which the end ot' said heel norlnally extends, and a locking-pin vertically operating in the head and extending through said circular chamber-and forming the pivot upon which the block turns when operated by the end of the movable jaw, for the purpose and in the manner substantially as described.

6. The con1bination,wiih the coupling-head, the movable or coupling jaw, and a lockingpin, of a rotatory block operated by the movable jaw, and whereby the locliingpin is held suspended when the jaw is swung ont, but when the jaw is swung inwardly it operates the. block to automatically drop the lockingpin into position, locking said jaw, substan` tially as described.

7. In a twin car-coupler, the combination of the coupling-head provided on one side with the rigid jaw, the movablejaw pivoted in the opposite side of the head, a downwardly-extending lug on the under side of the movable jaw, a rod extending beneath the head and engaging said lug, whereby the movablejaw can be thrown open or closed when nncoupled,and a locking-pin to engage the rear end of the movable iaw and lock the same7 substantially as described.

8. In a twin-jaw ear coupler, the combination ofthe coupling-head, the movable jaw provided with a heel pivoted in the couplinghead, apassage extending` vertically through said head, a locking-pin loosely confined in said passage and engaging the end olsaid heel, a chambered or hollow extension at the lower side of the head and into which said vertical passage opens and the end ot' the locking-pin extends when the coupling-jaw is locked, a vertically-movable uneoupling-pin extending loosely through the head and provided with a lateral arm in the hollow extension and engaging the end of the locking-pin, and a transverse rock-shaft journaled at the end of the ear and connected with the uneoupling-pin, whereby, when the shaft is turned, the uneoupling-pin is raised and its lateral arm lifts the locking-pin from engagement with the movable jaw, substantially as described.

9. l'n a twin-jaw car-eoupling,the combination of the coupling-head provided with the rigid jaw and a movable jaw, the movable jaw being provided with a heel pivoted and normally resting in the coupling-head, a vcrticalIy-operating locking pin or key, a vertically operating uneoupling pin confined loosely in the coupling-head and provided with a laterally-extending arm engaging the lower end of the locking-key,alongitudinallymovable rock-shaft journaled at the end of the car, an upwardly-inclined toe on the rockshaft, and a chain or link loosely connecting the uneonpling-pin and said toe, substantially as described.

l0. ln a twin jaw ear-coupler, the combination of the draw-head, the coupling-jaw, the coupling-pin provided with a locking-tongue to engage the coupling-jaw heel and lock the jaw, said conplingpin operating vertically and loosely eontined in a passage extendingr through the head and projecting below the lower cud of said passage when its locking tongue is holding the coupling-jaw, an uneoupling pin extending loosely through the head, and an arm secured to the lower end of said pin and extending laterally from the same beneath the lower end of said passage for the locking-pin, and upon which the end of said locking-pin rests when thejaw is coupled,and whereby thejaw is uneoupled by raising the lateral arm until the lower endof the lockingpin is withdrawn into its passage and its tongue lifted from engagement with said jaw.

11. The combination, in a twin-jaw earcoupler, of a movable jaw pivoted, as shown, and provided with a heel or lateral projection, aloeking-pin, and a cylindrical rotary block having a ilange arranged in such manncrthat said ilange will hold the locking pin in a suspended position when the ear is uncoupled, substantially as described.

12. The combination, with the couplinghead provided with a socket or recess, a movable jaw provided with a heel pivoted in said recess, and a locking-pin, of the herein-described block pivoted in said head and provided with a recess into which the end of said heel is adapted to extend, whe1.'eby,when the jaw is uneoupled and theheelsw ung outwardly, it turns said pivoted block to allow the heel to pass out and to hold the locking-pin from dropping, and when the jaw is swung inwardly the block is turned to drop the lool-:- ing-pin and close the opening into said socket or recess, in the manner and for the purpose 'as set forth.

13. In a twin-jaw ear-coupler, the combination of the draw or coupling head, the movable or coupling jaw pivoted to the same, the the looking position7 for the purpose substanlockingpin operating vertically in a passage tially as described.

extending through the draw-head and adapted In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my toextend below the lower open end of the pasown I affix my signature in presence of two 5 sage when in locked position, an uneoupling- Witnesses.

pin operating vertically through the drawhead7 and a lateral arm carried by the lower NICHOLAS BARR' end of the uucouplingpin and extending be- Vitnesses: K neath the lower end of the locking-pin and O. E. DUFFY,

1o adapted to engage the same and raise it from HUBERT E. PECK. 

